Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Bella Hodgepodge!

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Add your link at the end of my post then travel around and see what your amiche are saying...here we go-

1. The month of July was named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. He's quoted as saying, 'Experience is the teacher of all things.' So, what has experience taught you lately?

Well I've learned a few things in the people department this past year, and I'm still kind of mulling it all over. I think I'll write about it eventually, not the specifics per se, but more the lessons learned. As cliche as it may sound, experience has taught me, or maybe it's more accurate to say, experience has confirmed for me, the importance of acting with integrity, staying true to who I am on the inside, and how a kind word can encourage someone who feels like quitting to stay the course.
2. Where did you last 'roam'?

Portugal. Roaming around foreign cities makes my list of favorite things. I don't actually have a written list, but there's one in my head and that's on it. I wrote several posts about our trip, beginning with this one.

3. Speaking of 'Rome'...pizza, pasta, gelato...you can only pick one, which would you choose?

Pizza. Eaten in one of those amazing city squares Rome is famous for.

4. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', 'All roads lead to Rome', 'When in Rome...' which 'Roman' idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Definitely 'when in Rome...' That's kind of my travel mantra and it's a good one. That little saying is the pep talk I give myself when I'm handed an unidentifiable 'local' food in a foreign country. It's the proverbial push I need to embrace all sorts of opportunities that arise when trekking someplace new and different. Sometimes I need to be pushed. Just ask the hubs!

5. What's a movie you've seen or book you've read, that makes you want to book a trip to Italy?

Under the Tuscan Sun makes me want to move to the Italian countryside and buy a fixer upper villa. Except from what my friends who've lived in Italy tell me, dealing with the red tape there is not quite as 'charming' as the movie makes it seem.

6. Walt's original Disneyland opened almost sixty years ago this week, on July 17, 1955. Have you ever been to the California park? How about any of the other Disney parks around the world? What's your favorite amusement park ride or attraction?

I've never been to Disneyland California, but I have been to Disney World in Orlando several times, and also Disneyland Paris, some 9102 km from the original. The sign said so.

I haven't been to a Disney park since 2007, so way overdue for a visit. I don't know if I have a favorite ride, but I do have a definite do-not-ride list. Ha! I'm not a fan of roller coasters, or any ride whose sole purpose is to spin me ad nauseam or turn my stomach upside down. I like the Disney parks because they have so many rides that fall more under the category of attraction, and attractions are more my thing.

7. It's that time of year...when were you last bitten or stung?

I honestly can't remember, unless you count a couple of mosquito bites I acquired while sitting outside this past weekend.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thoughts on Wednesdays have been a little lame lately-sorry. There's plenty of random in my head, just not enough space left over to formulate it into something coherent. How about a dog video? One minute guaranteed to make you laugh.

LOVE that movie! I'm not sure I'd be able to eat anything unidentifiable even with a push. I'm just too squeamish. I've learned some lessons this summer too. Mostly about myself. And most of it better than I thought. LOL Have a great week!

I just went back and added our pizza we had in Turin, Italy. How could I have forgotten that one. It was delicious. You have roamed in so many wonderful places! It does take a push and I'm so glad I pushed myself in Europe while Mark was working. When I look back I can't imagine missing all the amazing sights. Under the Tuscan Sun was my answer too! That dog made me laugh....thank you :)

Hi Joyce, over from Vee's to join up. Have a newer blog and trying to find old followers and inviting new ones to drop over to my neck of the woods. Love this type to meme. Makes you thing. I need motivation sometimes as been living a long time and blogging along time. Love to travel but long trips are a thing of the past now. Still would love to visit Italy.

That dog video is so cute, I got in my daily laugh way before noon. Thank you, Joyce. I would love to visit Italy and see the countryside and the old buildings and houses. In the movies, it seems so romantic. The operative word here is "seems'. Hope you're having a great day.

I so needed that laugh from the video today! Thank you! And of course, your Roman theme is in keeping with my savings account. I have every intention of making it to Italy either for my 50th next year or our 30th anniversary in 2016.

I don't really like Thunder mountain or the matterhorn at Disneyland, way too intense! That was a pretty hilarious dog video. My dog likes standing on his hind legs for a minute or two when i have a treat. I am glad you watched the All Star game, i don't think there was a dry eye in the place when Jeter came up for the first time in his last ASG. Have a great week!

I'm with you on the do not ride list. Give me a slow boat and music and I'm there, but I have no desire to go hurtling down a steep incline in a little car. No thank you!Yes, the little grandson is lots of fun but definitely into everything right now.Thanks, as always, for bringing us together with the Hodgepodge. (Even with busy summer days and wedding plans to think about!)

I am not as enamored with Italy as you are, however, I would love to visit Italy for it's historical significance. Home of the Roman Empire, home to some of the greatest minds to ever grace this planet, classical music, specifically opera, and art. Thanks for your Hodgepodge!